When to visit
Is November a good time to visit Thailand?
Updated
Short answer
November is a very good month for Thailand overall, with one significant exception: the Gulf coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan) has its worst weather in November, with heavy rain and tropical storms possible. Everywhere else does well. Phuket and the Andaman coast enter their dry season, Bangkok and Chiang Mai are cool and pleasant, and prices are below the December peak. Avoid the Gulf islands in November.
November is when Thailand's map of good destinations completely flips from October. The Andaman coast is suddenly excellent; the Gulf coast is suddenly its worst.
Phuket and the Andaman coast
November is when the Andaman dry season properly establishes itself after the long monsoon. By mid-November, Phuket has clear skies, calm seas, and beach conditions that look like January. The Similan Islands reopen around mid-November, and liveaboard operators start their season. Dive visibility improves rapidly from the October lows.
Prices in November are noticeably below December and January, typically 15-25% cheaper. The tourist numbers are building but haven't reached peak yet. November is one of the best-value months for Phuket specifically: dry-season conditions at below-peak prices.
Early November can still see some residual rain from the October monsoon; by mid-November the transition is usually complete.
Bangkok and the north
November is one of Bangkok's best months. Temperatures drop to 24-28°C during the day with pleasant evenings around 20-22°C. Rain is minimal. Walking the temple circuit in November is comfortable in a way it simply isn't from May to September.
Chiang Mai and the north enter their cool season in November. Nights can reach 15-18°C in the city, cooler in the hills. Air quality is clean. The mountains are still green from the monsoon. This is one of the best months for Chiang Mai, and it's particularly good for trekking and outdoor activities.
Loy Krathong and Yi Peng
Depending on the year, these festivals fall in November. Loy Krathong is celebrated countrywide (floating krathong boats on rivers and canals), and Chiang Mai's Yi Peng adds the sky lantern release, which is one of the most visually memorable events in the Thai calendar. The exact date changes each year based on the lunar calendar. Check the date for your year of travel and book Chiang Mai well ahead if it's during your stay.
The Gulf coast: avoid
November is the worst month on the Gulf side. Koh Samui averages 500mm+ of rain in November, the highest monthly total in the country. Tropical depressions move through the Gulf in October-November and can bring days of sustained rain to Samui and Phangan. Koh Tao is more sheltered but still wet.
If Gulf islands are the trip, November is the month to skip.
For the full November picture, see our Thailand in November guide.
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